Our annual Winter Wednesdays series, hosted in partnership with Worthen Library, is certainly one of our highlights during what can be a cold and isolating season. These free workshops offer people from across the region the chance to learn new skills or information and to come together.

This year, we learned about fermentation and food science: Christine McMillian from Capsand Creamery showed us how to make cheese and the science behind it, while Julia Irish from Pitchfork Pickle taught us about kimchi making. Other sessions focused on food more generally: we held a Gardeners Gathering to share knowledge and seeds, and author Rebecca Rupp taught us about the “eccentric history of food.”

Creativity flowed during two workshops focused on macrame weaving and garland making with Christel Nase from Meadow Lane Macrame. Aprille Soons Palmer also returned to lead another popular bird painting workshop.

Showing off finished macrame garlands after a workshop with Christel Nase (far left)

We also concluded the Abenaki Foodways Project Speakers Series. SHLT co-hosted three well-attended online events, where Abenaki community members from Odanak shared stories about their culture, history, food, and relationship to the land. Check out the recordings at abenakifoodways.com

Winter Speaker Series Highlights